US Open Popcorn Matches: Serena Williams goes again while Andy Murray faces tough test

The US Open action rumbles on into Day Five on Friday, with Serena Williams and Andy Murray among those in action.

Here are a selection of the popcorn matches you won’t want to miss.

Ajla Tomljanovic Serena Williams

We’ve said it before in this feature, but if Serena Williams is playing at this US Open, she she is the main event.

She beat second seed Anett Kontaveit to get this far, and by comparison Ajla Tomljanovic may look like it will be a walk in the park.

However, Serena played doubles yesterday and we will have to wait to see how much that has taken out of her physically. There is also a certain ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ element to this, where she may struggle to maintain her level.

That said, whether Serena Williams wins or loses at this year’s US Open, you’re going to want to have seen it.

Andy Murray v Matteo Berrettini

Andy Murray has looked as close to his former self as we’ve seen him at this year’s US Open, but a huge test awaits against Matteo Berrettini.

The Italian will be fancying his chances to win the whole tournament, and he has gone as deep as the semi-finals here before.

He has also had Andy Murray’s number in their recent matches, including the Stuttgart final this year.

Even his most ardent of fans would struggle to make a case to consider Murray the favourite here, but he’s certainly capable.

Madison Keys v Coco Gauff

The evening session on Ashe will host an all-American affair, and that is always a special occasion.

Madison Keys is a former finalist here and her big-hitting style seems to suit the US Open really nicely.

Coco Gauff, meanwhile, is starting to establish herself as a genuine contender for any major. She has already reached one Grand Slam final and she is capable of going all the way here as well.

Expect a tight match with a highly engaged crowd that will come down to fine margins.

Nick Kyrgios v JJ Wolf

Nick Kyrgios is absolutely intriguing at the moment. I mean even more so than he used to be.

He is in great form and appears to have a more professional attitude towards his tennis than ever before.

That doesn’t mean the old antics have stopped, of course. He accused a fan or smoking weed during his last match. It just means he produces top class tennis in between, making the antics exponentially more forgivable.

The wonderfully-named JJ Wolf won’t be easy to put away, but you’d also be very surprised if Kyrgios can’t get the job done.

Bianca Andreescu v Caroline Garcia

If you don’t find the career progression of Bianca Andreescu fascinating, you may not have been paying attention.

Since winning the US Open in 2019 as a teenager, she has really struggled with injury and mental health, and yet the talent obviously still remains.

She has plenty of time on her side too, and you just feel like one spark may ignite her career again and get her to an entirely new level. This tournament could be that spark, but she will have to get past the tricky Caroline Garcia first.

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